Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

A very serious situation is developing around the Eurasian Economic Union, an economic war is going on, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Mikhail Myasnikovich on 30 November, BelTA has learned.

The head of state noted that a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is scheduled for 11 December. “The agenda has been finalized. You know my position, and that of Belarus in general. It is high time for us to meet face to face (not on TV, but to talk frankly), because there are a lot of problems: from military, military-political to economic ones. Moreover, it is a very difficult year. You probably have not experienced anything like this either. But it can get even worse, ” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to the president, the global economy collapsed this year, and the crisis also affected the EAEU space. “It will be very hard to recover. Moreover, a confrontation has begun; in fact, an open economic war is going on and it is already turning into a diplomatic war or a mass media war, things are getting really tough. I have already cited facts regarding the designs of some of our neighbors supported by some strong states. Therefore, the situation around is very serious, and we need to discuss these problems face to face [with the leaders of the EAEU countries],” the head of state emphasized.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, it is possible that at the end of the year the heads of state will be able to meet in person. Previously, similar negotiations took place in Moscow or Saint Petersburg. Minsk is also ready to be the host. “It doesn't matter where, but it's time to seriously discuss the problems that are facing us,” he said.

The agenda of the upcoming summit will include a total of 28 issues; the EAEU leaders will discuss four of them in a narrow circle. “We keep insisting that we should address the unsettled issues in a hard-and-fast manner, without delays and red tape. Moreover, the situation prompts us to stay together, as Putin always emphasizes. It is easier to overcome any difficulties together,” the president is convinced.

Top on the agenda will be the strategic areas of Eurasian integration until 2025. “We agreed that we will finally resolve the problem of common markets, primarily that of natural gas. The only pending issue is a fair price for gas transportation. This is important for us and for others. We should also discuss the import of civil aircraft to the territory of the union. It was Kazakhstan's suggestion. Kazakhstan also suggests addressing a personnel issue. I would like to hear your opinion on what position Belarus could take in this regard,” the head of state added.

A reminder, the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is scheduled for 11 December. Given the epidemiological situation, it will be held by means of teleconferencing. According to preliminary data, the agenda will include 28 issues. The leaders of the EAEU countries are expected, among other things, to approve the strategic areas of Eurasian integration until 2025. The document was supposed to be signed by the heads of state back in May, but due to some loose ends the document was ‘approved only at large'.

No agreement had been reached over the prices for gas transportation, Iya Malkina, Aide to the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission, told a web-based press briefing on 25 November. “The draft decision of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on strategic areas of Eurasian integration until 2025 was approved by the EEC Council. According to Member of the Board (Minister) for Integration and Macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission Sergei Glazyev, almost all points have been reconciled by the parties. Sensitive disagreements over prices for gas transportation services in the common gas market of the union remain unresolved,” Iya Malkina said.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant commissioning schedule has been approved in Belarus by Decree No. 447 of 30 November 2020, BelTA learned from the press service of the Energy Ministry.

The document is designed to manage the commissioning of the Belarusian nuclear power plant and acceptance of its energy units.

The decree formalizes the terms of the commissioning: the first power unit - in 2021, the second - in the first half of 2022.

The decree establishes that the nuclear power plant is put into operation in accordance with the programs of commissioning of the first and second units approved by its operator - the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant.

The Council of Ministers is tasked with determining the order of acceptance of the launch complexes of the BelNPP units and the list of state agencies and other organizations that issue acceptance certificates for the launch complexes.

In accordance with the decree, the Council of Ministers will appoint acceptance commissions at least 40 days before the scheduled commissioning of each unit; will approve the acceptance certificates for the launch complexes of the BelNPP.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast using the Russian design AES-2006 featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. The engineering division of the Russian state nuclear industry corporation Rosatom is the general contractor.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Finland Aleksei Samosuyev met with Chairman of the non-governmental organization Finland-Belarus Society Jussi Seppala, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Embassy in Finland.

“The parties reviewed the state of the bilateral relations during the pandemic and discussed future joint activities, including in tourism and culture. They stressed the importance of preserving the direct Minsk-Helsinki flight in the current situation,” the embassy noted.

At the request of the Finnish party, Ambassador Aleksei Samosuyev commented about the ongoing political processes in Belarus.

All types of retirement pensions will increase on 1 December in accordance with Decree No. 409 of 5 November 2020, BelTA learned from the press service of the Labor and Social Security Ministry.

Pensions of more than 2.4 million pensioners will be recalculated. The retirement pensions will increase by 6%. Supplementary payments and allowances are paid in addition to the basic pension. These include supplementary payments to non-working citizens, people aged 75-79 (Br48.4), 80 years and older (Br64.53). In addition, a supplementary payment is paid for the care of disabled people of the first disability group (Br64.53) and persons over 80 (Br32.27), and also bonus payments to war veterans and disabled war veterans, honorary blood donors and some other categories of citizens (from Br25.81 to Br322.65). These payments are recalculated automatically on the heels of the increase in the subsistence budget on average per capita, usually every quarter (1 February, 1 May, 1 August and 1 November).

“In nominal terms, each pensioner will have an individual increase in retirement pensions depending on individual parameters of the length of service and wage before retirement. The average retirement pension will make up Br499.7 in December. The individual income rate for non-working pensioners is higher. Thus, the average retirement pension of non-working pensioners will make up Br513 in December,” the press service said.

With the maximum length of service and previous earnings (the length of service not less than 45 years for men, 40 years for women and the individual income rate - 5 and more) the retirement pension of non-working pensioners will be Br863 in December. Such a pension will be higher if a person is entitled to additional allowances and supplementary payments. For example, a pension with additional payments for a pensioner aged 80 and older will be Br960.

Retirement pensions in December will rise by 5.5% in comparison with November and 12.1% as against December 2019. In 2020 the average retirement pension went up by 9.4% year-on-year. In 2016-2020 the retirement pension increased by almost 1.7 times.

Belarusian Ambassador to Egypt Sergei Terentyev met with the Governor of South Sinai Khaled Fuda. A BelTA correspondent was told about this at the Belarusian Embassy in Egypt.

The parties noted the interest of the parties in the development of interregional ties in the economy, tourism, education, medicine, culture and sports. The Ambassador informed about the state of the Belarusian-Egyptian cooperation, as well as plans to hold bilateral events in Egypt in early 2021 to enhance tourist exchange. 

The Governor confirmed his readiness to host the Belarusian delegation in Sharm el-Sheikh in 2021 during the Days of the Minsk Region in South Sinai. The parties agreed in the coming months to take concrete steps to intensify cooperation in sanatorium recovery, transfer of Belarusian experience and technologies in the field of physiotherapy and balneological treatment, medicine, including cooperation through the Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital and a medical institution in the Minsk region. 

In addition, they discussed the establishment of partnerships through leading universities, the development of trade contacts between regions, cultural exchange.

The Belarusian air carrier Belavia has extended suspension of air travel to Ashgabat till 1 January 2021, BelTA learned from the website of the airline.

Belavia will not fly to Riga, Tallinn, and Larnaca till 14 November and to all destinations in Georgia till 31 October. Flights to Budapest (except for 8 November) and Almaty will not be available till 27 March 2021.

Belavia has suspended flights to all destinations in Russia (except for Moscow Domodedovo Airport) because of the absence of permission from Russia.

Customers who purchased tickets for these travel dates will be able to apply for a refund or to reschedule their flights till 30 March 2021. Tickets can be refunded and flights can be rescheduled at company's offices and customer service centers.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has introduced newly appointed Internal Affairs Minister Ivan Kubrakov and Chief of the Minsk City Police Department Mikhail Grib to the staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, BelTA has learned.

“We have here the leadership of the law enforcement agencies. The stability in the country and well-being of our people depend on how efficiently they are working today," the head of state said. “I am glad to introduce the new Minister of Internal Affairs and the head of the Minsk police department to you. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank the former leaders who will continue to serve Belarus and the people.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that Ivan Kubrakov started as a policeman/police car driver at one of police offices in Minsk and rose through the ranks to become Chief of the Minsk City Police Department. He communicated a lot with people when he worked as a local police officer; he led the Zaslavl District Police Department, the Vitebsk Oblast Police Department. “The good management of the work and smart distribution of resources helped ensure security and safety of Minsk residents and visitors, including participants of unauthorized events,” the president noted.

The head of state explained that about a dozen candidates were considered to the ministerial post. "Now we have a new generation of representatives of the law enforcement worthy to hold high state positions," the president noted. He expressed confidence that Ivan Kubrakov will be able to pass on his experience and knowledge of the situation in Minsk to the new head of the police department of the Minsk city administration Mikhail Grib.

"He served as the public security chief of in the same department, knows it well, has proven himself well. However, he will need all the support and assistance. You know that I made a decision to send him from a warm cozy Minsk to Vitebsk Oblast. I have never heard anyone criticizing his work or calling him unprofessional,” he said.

The president said that Yuri Karayev is a person committed to the state and people. He helped reorganize and strengthen combat readiness of the internal troops and law enforcement agencies. The president added that Yuri Karayev has fully accomplished all the tasks related to public security and order in the country. The president also praised him for the ability to analyze the situation in a comprehensive way.

“He is committed to the interests of the state, takes a responsible approach to solving tasks, heeds to the opinion of specialists. He has never withdrawn from solving problems, and has never been afraid of taking responsibility. He is a well-organized and hardworking person,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to the head of state, Aleksandr Barsukov is a visual example of how executive personnel is trained in the country, going up from a policeman, an investigator, a head of the Minsk Main Internal Affairs Department to Deputy Internal Affairs Minister. "Thanks to your work, the internal affairs bodies has the situation in the country under control, are able to prevent it from aggravating and protect the security and safety of the society and every citizen,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president presented general shoulder straps: lieutenant general shoulder straps to Ivan Kubrakov, Yuri Karayev and Aleksandr Barsukov and major general shoulder straps to Mikhail Grib.

All Belarusian volunteers taking part in the post-registration trials of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, who have received the first dose, are feeling well, reads the post on the the Telegram channel of the Healthcare Ministry.

"A total of 109 patients were screened and 100 people were vaccinated," the post said. Nine volunteers were found unsuitable for various reasons: positive COVID-19 tests (including the presence of antibodies), increased temperature at the time of randomization, etc.

The trials involve Minsk polyclinics No.4 (20 patients), No.5 (20 patients), No.14 (28 patients), and No.28 (32 patients).

The volunteers will receive a booster vaccine 21 days later.

All the volunteers will be observed for 180 days after getting the first shots. Specialists assess the efficacy, potency and safety of the vaccine.

The Belarusian air carrier Belavia has extended suspension of air travel to Ashgabat till 9 December, BelTA learned from the website of the airline.

Belavia will not fly to Riga, Tallinn, and Larnaca till 14 November and to all destinations in Georgia till 31 October. Flights to Budapest (except for 8 November) and Almaty will not be available till 27 March 2021.

Belavia will not fly to all destinations in Russia (except for Moscow Domodedovo Airport) because of the absence of permission from Russia.

Customers who purchased tickets for these travel dates will be able to apply for a refund or to reschedule their flights till 30 March 2021. Tickets can be refunded and flights can be rescheduled at company's offices and customer service centers.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed new president's aides in regions to step up efforts to ensure public security, BelTA has learned.

“Maintaining order in regions is a priority for you as military people,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Speaking about the ongoing unsanctioned rallies, Aleksandr Lukashenko said that the majority of them are taking place in Minsk. However, it is also important to keep an eye on the situation in regions. “Those rallies were rather small – 1,000-2,000 people, but still. Especially in Grodno. They demand to stop Grodno Azot or to stage a strike. What if an explosion happens… This is a high tech hazardous production facility. God forbid it happens – Grodno is near and it will be affected entirely. And dominant winds are western. Those winds are blowing, the cloud will cover Grodno, thousands and thousands of people will die. There are about half a million people in Grodno, including guests. Therefore, public security is number one priority,” the president said.

He remarked that Valery Vakulchik in Brest Oblast and Yuri Karayev in Grodno Oblast will be also in charge of the military dimension: “The air assault brigade in Brest is meant for that in accordance with the law. And a huge motorized rifle brigade has been deployed in Grodno. This is a pillar for you, for law enforcement and governors there. This is a power block. I am saying this openly and do not conceal anything. Everybody should realize that.”

The president added that the aides should cooperate with the Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the State Security Committee in the center. “Especially with the Defense Ministry. You should see, hear and understand what is going on the border and abroad. You should inform me on time. And if you need the support of the Armed Forces, like in the summer, we will do it. This is within my competence. You can also use the assistance of the KGB and the Interior Ministry. You are aware of the issues we were dealing with here (the issues we were dealing with before, after the election in August). They need support,” the head of state instructed. “I reiterate: there is a fine line, you should not replace anybody. You should not rule and control local heads of the Interior Ministry and the KGB directly. They have their own chiefs. And you have your own chief. This is the president.”

“You should keep me posted, and we will act together, if necessary. You will get instructions from me, I will tell you how to act in certain fields. You are military people, and you understand what vertical subordination is,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned a special period in Minsk as well. This is the reason for the appointment of Aleksandr Barsukov as the president's aide. “He knows Minsk like the back of his hand. Neither Vakulchik, not Karayev, nor Kochanova, nor me know Minsk like he does. He knows everything. And now his main objective is to ensure full security with the help of the law enforcement in Minsk. Public security is a priority. He has been doing it for all his life.”